Dr. Andrew Bluhm, Dr. Steve Dorsch, and Dr. Gene Vandervort all have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating pathologic lesions of the mouth, face and jaws. These can range from small, benign soft tissue lesions to large cysts or tumors of the jaw.
The inside of the mouth is lined with mucosa, which is a special type of skin that is smooth and coral pink in color. Any change in the appearance of the mucosa could be a warning sign for a pathological process, such as oral cancer. Any of the following may be a sign of the beginning of a cancerous growth or pathologic process:
- Whitish patches (leukoplakia) or reddish patches (erythroplakia) in the mouth
- A thickening or lump on the skin that lines the inside of the mouth
- A sore that bleeds easily and/or fails to heal
- Difficulty swallowing and/or chewing
- An unusual growth on the surface of the tissue or deeper structures
- Chronic hoarseness or sore throat
You may notice these changes on the cheeks, lips, palate, gum tissue around the teeth and tongue, neck, and/or face. Pain is not always associated with pathology, including oral cancer; however, if you do experience any oral and/or facial pain without an obvious reason or cause, you may be at risk for oral cancer.
We recommend that you regularly receive oral cancer screenings as part of a complete oral exam. We also recommend that you periodically perform an oral cancer self-exam. Remember that the mouth is one of the body’s most important warning systems and can help us detect potential problems before they turn into large issues. Do not ignore suspicious sores or lumps.
If you have a concern about oral pathology, please contact Loudoun Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at one of our offices in Ashburn or Leesburg, Virginia.
